title: Targeted inhibition of VEGF receptor 2: an update on ramucirumab.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ramucirumab (IMC-1121B) is a fully humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody, targeting the extracellular domain of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Numerous Phase I - II trials in various malignancies have shown promising clinical antitumor efficacy and tolerability. Most recently, the large Phase III REGARD trial evaluated ramucirumab in patients with refractory metastatic gastric cancer. Patients receiving ramucirumab experienced a median overall survival of 5.2 months compared to 3.8 months on placebo.
  
  
  METHODS
  The purpose of this article is to review the preclinical motivation for VEGFR2-targeted therapies and survey recent data from clinical trials involving ramucirumab, as well as highlight ongoing studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rational multi-target approaches to angiogenesis are needed to overcome resistance mechanisms. Predictive angiogenic biomarkers are also needed to optimize patient selection for novel anti-angiogenic agents.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA. jeffrey.clarke@duke.edu
authors.forename: Jeffrey Melson
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Herbert I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Hurwitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000096662:Ramucirumab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D000096662:Ramucirumab